Melania Trump’s memoir, “Melania,” has enjoyed commercial success since its release earlier this year, quickly climbing onto the New York Times Best-Seller list. The book details her journey from growing up in Slovenia to meeting President-elect Donald Trump and her time in the public eye. However, not everyone is celebrating the book’s success.
A TikTok video posted by user @sheabuttahhhh recently caused a stir online before being deleted. In the clip, the individual can be seen removing an entire stack of Melania’s memoir from a shelf at Target. The user then walks to the home goods aisle and places the books into a garbage can on display.
The video’s caption read: “Putting the trash where it belongs.” Although the original post has been taken down, it continues to circulate on X, where it was reshared by the account @LibsofTikTok. The stunt sparked a wave of backlash, with many commenters calling out the act as childish and counterproductive.
One user pointed out the futility of the effort, writing: “I’m sure whoever bought that garbage can realized that it was heavier than normal, in which case one of the associates had to return the books to their proper place. A pointless spectacle.”
Another commenter highlighted the unintended consequences of such stunts: “Who wants to tell him that Target already paid her for these books and when they see the empty shelf they’re going to buy more?”
A third person accused the TikTok user of hypocrisy: “Aren’t these the same people who disavow banning books???” Melania’s memoir has sparked mixed reactions since its release, with strong sales proving her enduring appeal to supporters while critics remain vocal. The viral video underscores the broader cultural divide surrounding the Trump family as they prepare to re-enter the White House.
Despite the TikTok stunt, the book’s success appears unaffected. The incident has further fueled debates around free speech, book bans, and the sometimes performative nature of political resistance. In the end, many observers concluded that such actions, far from achieving their intended effect, may only serve to boost attention and sales for Melania’s memoir.